decipher

verb

de·​ci·​pher dē-ˈsī-fər How to pronounce decipher (audio)
deciphered; deciphering; deciphers

transitive verb

1
: decode sense 1a
decipher a secret message
2
obsolete : depict
with her majesty's name deciphered in gold lettersJonathan Swift
3
a
: to make out the meaning of despite indistinctness or obscurity
trying to decipher her handwriting
b
: to interpret the meaning of
decipher the poem
decipherable adjective
decipherer noun
decipherment noun

Examples of decipher in a Sentence

I couldn't decipher his sloppy handwriting. we deciphered the hidden message to find out when we were supposed to meet
Recent Examples on the Web The center, which opened in 2022, is responsible for deciphering, and defeating, surreptitious efforts to rig or tilt the American vote. David D. Kirkpatrick, The New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2024 Understanding and deciphering how mantis shrimp repair their cells could have implications in many a field, ranging from cancer treatments to protecting astronauts from cosmic radiation and possibly even reversing some of the effects of aging. Scott Travers, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024 Schneider, from Stony Brook University, said elementary school educators are now teaching kids how to decipher misinformation and, in at least one Long Island district, the news literacy content is being translated into Spanish for Spanish-speaking students. Kayla Jimenez, USA TODAY, 7 Oct. 2024 Spend more time preparing and deciphering what’s important. Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 5 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for decipher 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'decipher.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1545, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of decipher was in 1545

Dictionary Entries Near decipher

Cite this Entry

“Decipher.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decipher. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

decipher

verb
de·​ci·​pher di-ˈsī-fər How to pronounce decipher (audio)
1
: to convert into understandable form
especially : decode
2
: to make out the meaning of despite lack of clearness
decipher sloppy handwriting
decipherable adjective
decipherment noun

More from Merriam-Webster on decipher

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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